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September 27, 2023 – 4:27 pm | 95 views

Enjoy Sukkot; you earned it. You probably think you know what I mean. After the heavy lifting of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the shofar, fasting, prayers, confessions, etc., we deserve a little relaxation and joy. But I am not talking about that. I am talking about something much deeper, …

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Articles in Toldot

The Human Struggle

November 19, 2022 – 8:41 pm | 1,021 views
human struggle

Life is a long human struggle. Animals don’t struggle. For them, life is simple. They have only one objective. To live and perpetuate their kind. Humans have an entire wrestling match. To be human is to struggle.  To be human is to strive for kindness, compassion, devotion, honesty, justice, loyalty, …

Toldot: Esau’s Garments

November 14, 2020 – 7:38 pm | 1,166 views
garments

You know the story. Rebecca instructed Jacob to disguise himself as Esau by dressing in Esau’s garments (which were furry and made him appear hairy like Esau), present himself to his father, provide him with delicious wine and meat, and ask for the blessings that his father intended for Esau. …

Toldot: Like father like son

November 23, 2019 – 10:51 pm | 1,472 views
like-father-like-son-innerstream.ca

Like father like son, an idiom rooted in the words of Ezekiel (44:16), “like mother like daughter,” describes a child that resembles his parent in either mannerism or behavior. This idiom could truly be applied to our forefather Isaac, who is introduced to us in the Torah as, “Isaac, the …

Toldot: A Defense of Jews

November 3, 2018 – 8:06 pm | 1,663 views
defense-innerstream.ca

Our Patriarch Isaac had nothing better to do with his day than plant seeds? Surely Isaac could think of many things to do. He could study Torah, he could do good deeds, he could look after his children, after all, twins can be a handful. Why did he work in …

Toldot: Hunting is not a Jewish Sport

November 12, 2017 – 8:17 am | 3,191 views
hunting-innerstream.ca

Although hunting is not as common as it used to be, it remains a popular sport around the world. This essay explores why hunting has never been considered a Jewish sport.
Hunting
A Jew once asked Rabbi Yechezkel Landau, the 18th century chief rabbi of Cracow, whether hunting is permissible. Rabbi Landau …

Toldos: The Purpose of Wealth

November 29, 2016 – 11:37 pm | 2,481 views
purpose-of-wealth-innerstream.ca

Dividing the Wealth
When Rebeca was pregnant with twins, she went to ask the prophet why she was feeling so much turmoil and pain. The prophet told her that she was carrying two nations and that they would separate from the womb; each in their own direction.
Our sages recorded a conversation …

Toldot: To Really Trust

November 7, 2015 – 10:38 pm | 2,897 views
trust - innerstream.ca

Digging Wells – A Matter of Trust
Abraham fed wayfarers, Jacob herded sheep, and Isaac dug wells. Which would you rather do? The host is in a position to help others and make them happy. The shepherd provides for G-d’s creatures. The well digger provides access to water. If you could …

Toldot: The Secret of Jewish Survival

November 10, 2014 – 9:04 pm | 2,525 views
jewish survival - innerstream.ca

Survival Throughout History
Blaise Pascal, French theologian and philosopher, wrote at length about the marvel of Jewish survival. Powerful kings have tried to destroy them, yet the Jews survived whereas the nations of Greece, Italy, Athens and Rome have long perished. It is said that when King Louis XIV of France …